Insect Bite Allergies?

Hi S., i recently used a baking soda paste on a bee sting on my 2 1/2 year old and it worked wonders, it reduced swelling, redness. My friend told me she uses this on her bug bites and has the same effect. I hope it helps. I get munched on my mosquitos also and have used my kids afterbite ointment and that seemed to work for me.

good luck! i know how you feel!

You may want to go to an allergist and get tested. You mentioned people have said to Try Benadryl? have you? there are so many over the counter creams and things like 'after the bite' what have you tried? as most do not work for all. My son is allergic to dog Silvia and Benadryl works for his welts.

You sound like you are allergic to whatever is biting you and should be prepared so it does not get to the point where it is so big and itchy. Benadryl does work very fast and has helped when I had allergic reactions to spider bites.

Podycat
Parenting is like New England weather; if you wait a few minutes, it'll change.

You are having an allergic reaction.
Time to see an allergist for preventative measures.
If you are indeed experiencing massive swelling, using benadryl is like putting a band aid on a gun shot wound, too little too late. Off to the Dr. with you!!!

I get the same exact thing when I get bite by anything. I found bite prevention is the only way to stop the itching and lovely red welts (although Benegryl cream and pills, After Bite, and witch hazel all help temporarily with the itch). Besides rolling in the most powerful bug spray I can get my hands on, I also take an extra dose of Vitamin B complex. Just like garlic, Vitamin B comes out of your pores, making bugs less interested in biting you. However, unlike garlic, your friends and family do not have to smell you. It can not hurt to try. Keep in mind extra Vitamin B will make your urine very bright. I was given this advice from a vitamin store owner many years ago.

Hi S.,

I can sympathize with you, though to a lesser extent. When I don't use insect repellent, I get very large, itchy bumps also. Not to be too graphic and gross, but sometimes I scratch so much they ooze and bleed!

I have found that taking Benadryl does help, but it makes me too sleepy to use during the day. Have you tried Benadryl's Topical Anti-Itch spray or Calamine lotion? They really work well (I even used them on my sunburn before it blistered this week.)

Good luck,
J. M.

A little about me: I am 34 and have two boys, 3 years and 8 months. Have been married for almost 7 years, the best of my life.

When I was traveling in Mexico and ran out of my really good repellent, I started eating raw cloves of garlic, it really works. To help the bites afterwards use the baking soda as others have suggested or meat tenderizer it's a white powder sold in the spice aisle (MSG) this will also take the swelling down. Try your local healthfood store for some natural essential oils like citronella to try and keep them from biting. I guess it smells nicer than garlic (:

good luck

did you know that mosquitoes prefer to drink type O (+ or -) blood? i am O+ and get zillions of bites while my husband gets passed by. it's infuriating, because, like you, i get big welts and then compulsively scratch the bites, sometimes until they bleed. i confirm that a baking soda paste will cool and soothe the welts almost instantly, but you have to be prepared for dried baking soda to flake off, sometimes making a mess.

i think, though that insect repellent is a necessary evil. i definitely notice that i get fewer bites when my skin is saturated with it.

Two things that people forget about because they are old- fashioned remedies are take a baking soda and water paste and put it on the welts, it will reduce the swelling, also works for bee stings to remove the stinger. The other one that works is taking a bath in Epsom salt. Yes, benedryl does help but it can make you sleepy so you really can't use it during the day. I get bit up by a lot of insects too. I also take vitamin E every day and it seems to help to keep the insects from biting at least I have had less this year.

A little about me, I am a grandmother and raising 3 of my grandchildren right now.

Not sure what to tell you. I have had terrible eczema all my life but even when I am not broken out with it my legs look terrible. I have not worn shorts or even capri pants for years (until I was pregnant with my first son who is now 19 months old) then I just did not care anymore & I will wear capri's but because I am over weight I am ashamed to wear shorts!
My legs look like I got road rash or something & all my doctors accuse me of scratching. It looks like I just cut myself all over while shaving but I don't! They actually hurt and some times itch. I use neosporin to prevent infection and use Cetaphil lotion to make sure they are not dry. But nothing and I have tried everything since I was young nothing works! So I am in the same boat as you. If you find something that works please let me know!
FYI dermatologist are CLUELESS! They have not been able to figure it out or fix it since I was 11 years old now I am 30. I have another upcoming appt but for what? I may cancel it.

time to go see an allergist. My youngest had terrible skin. Everything he rubbed against made his skin break out. He was prescribed zyrtec and until the problem got under controle he was prescribed hydrocortisone cream that is stronger than whats sold in the store and when he does occassionally flare up he is aloud to also take benedryl as needed. Good luck.

Hi S.,
Have you ever tried Tea Tree oil? If you haven't, pick up ONLY A HIGH QUALITY Tea tree oil. It has 7 specific properties. healing,soothing,penetrating,aromatic,non caustic natural fungicide and antiseptic. I think you will relief with this. I work with a health and wellness company that has tea tree oil in many of our products and helps a lot of folks with many different skin problems. You can go to melaleuca.com and click on take a tour to view are prodcts. Good Luck!!
G.!

I ge the same thing, they swell up and become red, red welts that usually last at least a week! I have noticed that my 4 yr old daughter also suffers the same fate. I too have done the creams and such but nothing seems to work. have you ever gotten poison ivy? Even if I look at it I seem to catch it all over my body. Good luck!
-A.

I dont know if you tried the benedryl, but are you aware it comes in a cream? Maybe you can dab it on them. Otherwise, I'd consult a Dr, allergist, or dermotologist?
Best of Luck

Dear S.,

I am a mosquito magnet and can't keep from scratching if the bite itches. The best stuff to make it stop itching is cold sore ointment like zilactin. It stops the itching right away and creates a film that helps too.
For the swelling you may want to try taking an antihistamine after you ask your doctor. Or you can try Arnica Gel from Whole Foods, a natural remedy to keep swelling and bruising down and it's also great for kid's booboos if you put it on as soon as they happen as long as the skin doesn't break.

I hope this helps,
A.

My son has that reaction whenever he gets a bug bite on his head (nowhere else does he have that reaction for some reason). Benadryl does the trick. I give it to him when he's going to bed and by the morning they are almost 100% gone.

S., Although I agree with the others about Benedryl, it sounds like you are more interested in shrinking the welts and getting the itch under control. I have much the same problem with insect bites; swelling and itching.
Go to any major pharmacy and have them order Spirits of Camphor. I'm sure they won't have it on hand as it's an old remedy. It's a liquid that smells strongly of Camphor but it WILL shrink those welts and stop the itch. The smell goes away almost instantly.

I've found a great product that I beleive will work for you! It's been a great addition to my house for many reasons. It's called Mela-gel & it is a natural anti-bacterial ointment. It works great on cuts, scrapes, burns, rashes, bug bites & stings & so much more. It uses melaleuca oil ( tea tree oil) as a natural healer, so together it works fantastic! My kids don't ever complain about bug bites anymore because they know that all they have to do is put the ointment on & it's all better! If you'd like more info. please feel free to contact me directly. This is just one of many products that I get from an online wellness store. Hope this helps you like it has helped me!